Attorney General

Decisions to administratively finalise a case are now recorded in the CPS Case Management System (CMS) as “Pending response – further investigation” (PRFI). These are not legal decisions and may not be the end of the case. The CPS takes a proactive approach to case management and is clear that PRFI should only be used as a last resort.

The CPS has a standard process for following up with policing when a case is sent for a Full Code Test decision and returned to police with an action plan, such as where further evidence is requested. The National Operating Model for Adult Rape is clear that action plans should contain a suitable and realistic time frame for response, and a follow-up workflow created so the CPS can track and chase actions that have not been completed by police.

A CPS manager will check the status at 28 and 60 days post action plan date to provide oversight. This will lead to escalation where necessary to ensure the required material is received from the police. At the 60-day point, the police will be alerted that a case will be closed in the next 30 days if no response is provided.

The table below shows PRFI data for rape-flagged cases and, in the absence of a separate identifier for serious sexual offences, data for suspects allocated the pre-charge Principal Offence Category of all sexual offences other than those that are rape-flagged for the last five years.

The central management information available to the CPS does not include any record showing the number of reactivated or reopened cases and we are therefore unable to identify individual cases that have been reactivated.

In 2023, the CPS introduced new guidance on PRFIs to promote a more consistent approach. CPS Areas were asked to apply the new guidance as part of a one-off integration exercise. As a result, data collected before the exercise cannot be directly compared with data collected after 2023. Sustained efforts have also been made to increase the volume of police referrals for adult-rape flagged cases, which in 2025/26 are up 26% since 2023/24, and charge volumes, which are up 50%. Improvements in consistency and increases in volumes have, in turn, resulted in an increase in PRFI volumes.

The CPS's obligations to inform victims about certain decisions are set out in the Victims' Code. This includes an obligation to inform victims of a decision not to charge a suspect. Under the Victims' Code, the Police are responsible for updating victims about their case throughout the investigation.

Regional Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Offences (RASSO) Joint Operational Improvement Meetings, chaired by Deputy Crown Prosectors and Policing Chief Inspectors, promote collective responsibility, partnership working and joint messaging across the CPS and police. Standing items at these meetings include PRFI cases and action plan proportionality.

The CPS recognises that delays in RASSO cases have significant impacts on victims and is working to reduce delay. Under the Victim Transformation Programme, all victims of rape have access to a dedicated Victim Liaison Officer who acts as a single point of contact within the CPS, and are offered the option of a pre-trial meeting with the prosecution team, to give them an opportunity to ask questions to better understand what happens at court.

The CPS is continuing to strengthen the collaboration with policing services to improve early interactions. This includes an offer of early advice, enabling the police to seek advice from a prosecutor during the early stages of the case. CPS have also updated guidance on best practice management of cases with multiple action plans to support earlier intervention, clear decision-making, focused action planning and effective CPS-Police engagement.

At the same time, Real Time Case Conversation guidance is being refreshed to make clear the ease and benefits of direct engagement between police and CPS. This joint work supports prosecutors and investigators to identify key evidential issues and agree an effective case strategy, potentially reducing the need for actions plans at a later stage.

Decisions to administratively finalise a case are now recorded in the CPS Case Management System (CMS) as “Pending response – further investigation” (PRFI). These are not legal decisions and may not be the end of the case. The CPS takes a proactive approach to case management and is clear that PRFI should only be used as a last resort.

The CPS has a standard process for following up with policing when a case is sent for a Full Code Test decision and returned to police with an action plan, such as where further evidence is requested. The National Operating Model for Adult Rape is clear that action plans should contain a suitable and realistic time frame for response, and a follow-up workflow created so the CPS can track and chase actions that have not been completed by police.

A CPS manager will check the status at 28 and 60 days post action plan date to provide oversight. This will lead to escalation where necessary to ensure the required material is received from the police. At the 60-day point, the police will be alerted that a case will be closed in the next 30 days if no response is provided.

The table below shows PRFI data for rape-flagged cases and, in the absence of a separate identifier for serious sexual offences, data for suspects allocated the pre-charge Principal Offence Category of all sexual offences other than those that are rape-flagged for the last five years.

The central management information available to the CPS does not include any record showing the number of reactivated or reopened cases and we are therefore unable to identify individual cases that have been reactivated.

In 2023, the CPS introduced new guidance on PRFIs to promote a more consistent approach. CPS Areas were asked to apply the new guidance as part of a one-off integration exercise. As a result, data collected before the exercise cannot be directly compared with data collected after 2023. Sustained efforts have also been made to increase the volume of police referrals for adult-rape flagged cases, which in 2025/26 are up 26% since 2023/24, and charge volumes, which are up 50%. Improvements in consistency and increases in volumes have, in turn, resulted in an increase in PRFI volumes.

The CPS's obligations to inform victims about certain decisions are set out in the Victims' Code. This includes an obligation to inform victims of a decision not to charge a suspect. Under the Victims' Code, the Police are responsible for updating victims about their case throughout the investigation.

Regional Rape and Serious Sexual Assault Offences (RASSO) Joint Operational Improvement Meetings, chaired by Deputy Crown Prosectors and Policing Chief Inspectors, promote collective responsibility, partnership working and joint messaging across the CPS and police. Standing items at these meetings include PRFI cases and action plan proportionality.

The CPS recognises that delays in RASSO cases have significant impacts on victims and is working to reduce delay. Under the Victim Transformation Programme, all victims of rape have access to a dedicated Victim Liaison Officer who acts as a single point of contact within the CPS, and are offered the option of a pre-trial meeting with the prosecution team, to give them an opportunity to ask questions to better understand what happens at court.

The CPS is continuing to strengthen the collaboration with policing services to improve early interactions. This includes an offer of early advice, enabling the police to seek advice from a prosecutor during the early stages of the case. CPS have also updated guidance on best practice management of cases with multiple action plans to support earlier intervention, clear decision-making, focused action planning and effective CPS-Police engagement.

At the same time, Real Time Case Conversation guidance is being refreshed to make clear the ease and benefits of direct engagement between police and CPS. This joint work supports prosecutors and investigators to identify key evidential issues and agree an effective case strategy, potentially reducing the need for actions plans at a later stage.

The Law Officers’ Convention applies to advice which may or may not have been given by the Law Officers, or requested of the Law Officers, and the Convention applies to your question.

The Law Officers’ Convention can be found at paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May:

“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 13 October 2025]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”

By long-standing convention, recognised by successive Governments, the seeking, preparation, and content of Law Officer advice relating to the Law Officers’ advisory functions are not disclosed outside of Government. This is reflected in paragraph 5.14 of the Ministerial Code.

We do not hold any specific guidance on Norwich Pharmacal Orders.

We refer Lord Jackson of Peterborough to the answer given by the former Attorney (HL1910) on 14 July, which sets out his view on the evidential basis.

The Government Legal Department and the Crown Prosecution Service continue to act in accordance with their respective legal and operational frameworks.

The Attorney General’s Office does not routinely record the total number of requests received to refer a point of law to the Court of Appeal under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972.

In the last five years, Attorneys General have exercised this power on one occasion in the case of Attorney General's Reference No. 1 of 2022.

Each request for a reference under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972 is considered on its facts, applying the statutory framework and relevant case law.

My deepest sympathies remain with Aria Thorpe’s family and loved ones. The loss of a nine-year-old child is profoundly tragic. The circumstances of Aria’s death were considered at trial, which ultimately concluded with an acquittal.

A reference under section 36 Criminal Justice Act 1972 was not possible in this case because there was no point of law which required further determination by the Court of Appeal. Such references cannot be used to alter the verdict, overturn the acquittal, or order a retrial.

The request for a reference to the Court of Appeal on a point of law (under section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972) could not be made, as the law is already clearly stated and does not require further clarification.

The Judge circulated her draft directions to all parties in writing. Leading Counsel for the Prosecution and Defence subsequently provided the Judge, on two occasions, with a joint document setting out proposed amendments. Those amendments included a request by the Prosecution that the summing-up should make clear that the unlawful act relied upon, for the purposes of unlawful act manslaughter was an assault, and that the relevant mens rea for that assault included recklessness. Leading Prosecution Counsel also made oral representations in open court reiterating that submission.

The process for jury directions and consultation with advocates is clearly set out in the Crown Court Compendium. It stipulates that ‘All written directions for the jury must be discussed, and preferably agreed, with the advocates well before they are provided to the jury’. This requirement is reiterated in the CPS policy Instructions for Prosecution Advocates which is incorporated into every prosecution brief and states ‘Advocates must also ensure that appropriate judicial directions are given in accordance with the Crown Court Compendium.

The CPS has maintained liaison with Aria’s family. It would not be appropriate to comment further on those communications.

The CPS does not hold data that would identify, for each of the last five years, the number of Crown Court acquittals in homicide cases in which it was subsequently acknowledged that the jury had been misdirected.

Tackling domestic abuse is a top priority for the government under our commitment to halve violence against women and girls.

Domestic abuse flagged charging decisions continue to have shorter timeframes than those for crime overall. In 2025/26, the mean average time from referral to charge in domestic abuse flagged cases was 25 days, compared with 44 days across all crime types. The median time from referral to charge was one day, indicating that many charging decisions were made shortly after referral to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). In addition, 74.9% of charging consultations in domestic abuse flagged cases were completed within 28 days, higher than the 71.7% recorded across crime overall.

The CPS continues to work with criminal justice partners to improve the timeliness of charging decisions, particularly in more complex cases where further evidence may be required before a charging decision can be made. Through the CPS and National Police Chiefs’ (NPCC) Council Domestic Abuse Joint Justice Plan, the CPS is working closely with policing partners through the Pathfinder Programme to strengthen early collaboration between police and prosecutors, improve case quality, and support more timely progression from investigation to charging decision.

Alongside this, the CPS, NPCC and Home Office are currently piloting the Charging Authority Project across England and Wales, enabling the police to charge in select domestic abuse cases and forming part of wider efforts across the criminal justice system to reduce delays and improve the handling of cases. This initiative is being piloted in two CPS Areas, with plans for expansion currently being considered.

These charging initiatives form part of the CPS's objective to strengthen the handling of domestic abuse cases and deliver effective charging decisions, helping victims to access justice sooner while ensuring offenders are held to account.

Pro bono work makes a valuable contribution to access to justice and public confidence in the legal system.

2026 marks the 25th anniversary of Pro Bono Week, celebrating the thousands of lawyers and law students who help people access justice through pro bono legal support.

As Chair of the Attorney General's Pro Bono Committee, I am proud to champion and recognise those efforts across the legal profession - through the Pro Bono Recognition List, the Student Recognition List and the important work of the Pro Bono Committee.

Criminals should never be left to destroy countryside for their own gain.

The CPS works closely with law enforcement partners to prosecute and deter environmental offending and will hold those who perpetrate it to account.

In March, the government published its Waste Crime Action Plan, which we are bolstering with further measures to tackle organised criminal gangs operating illegal waste dumping sites.

The Law Officers’ Convention applies to advice which may or may not have been given by the Law Officers, or requested of the Law Officers, and the Convention applies to your question.

The Law Officers’ Convention can be found at paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May:

“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 13 October 2025]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”

Where victims feel dissatisfied with the service provided by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), they can submit a complaint through the CPS complaints procedure. The CPS operates a three stage complaints procedure where complaints relate to the standard of service provided by the CPS. In these cases, the final stage of the complaints process is referral to the Independent Assessor of Complaints (IAC). If the complaint is upheld, the CPS will apologise, and attempt to put the matter right wherever possible, as well as take steps to ensure that it does not happen again. In exceptional cases, where there has been an error on their part and there is clear evidence of uninsured material loss or severe distress caused by maladministration or poor service, a modest consolatory payment may be offered. Following an IAC review, victims who believe the CPS has failed to meet its obligations under the Victims’ Code may ask their MP to refer their complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, which can consider whether any further investigation or redress is required.

Tackling delays in the criminal justice system is an important part of delivering the swift justice that victims and witnesses deserve and improving confidence in the criminal justice system. The CPS is working with criminal justice system partners to reduce inefficiency and avoidable delay in case preparation. On 1 October 2026, a new Practice Direction on Listing in the Criminal Courts came into effect. This requires courts to convene a Case Progression meeting in the third week before a trial is listed, of which the CPS will attend. This aims to ensure issues requiring operational and judicial resolution are addressed early. The CPS is also taking action to improve its service to victims through its Victims Programme.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice to Ukraine states: 'If you travel to Ukraine to fight, or to assist others engaged in the war, your activities may amount to offences under UK legislation. You could be prosecuted on your return to the UK'. Their full advice is available here: Ukraine travel advice.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which acts independently of police and government, will consider any information that is referred by the police and any decision to prosecute will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

To date, the CPS has not prosecuted any British citizens for actions carried out whilst volunteering to serve in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice to Ukraine states: 'If you travel to Ukraine to fight, or to assist others engaged in the war, your activities may amount to offences under UK legislation. You could be prosecuted on your return to the UK'. Their full advice is available here: Ukraine travel advice.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which acts independently of police and government, will consider any information that is referred by the police and any decision to prosecute will be considered on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

To date, the CPS has not prosecuted any British citizens for actions carried out whilst volunteering to serve in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Using the AI tool, the Cabinet Office has identified approximately 7000 statutory duties to consult. The process of reviewing all 7000 is ongoing.

The Government has adopted its definition of anti-Muslim hostility and will refer to it when developing and revising relevant policy. The Government encourages organisations to use it in ways they consider useful and lawful. The definition is non-statutory and does not alter or replace legal duties or statutory guidance.

I would refer the Honourable Lord to Lord Hermer’s previous answer on this topic.

The table below contains data for the Attorney General's Office and each of its superintended departments relevant to the question.

Total Spend on branded goods and merchandise

The Attorney General’s Office and HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) held no Senior Civil Service (SCS) away days in calendar year to date 2026.

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has held two SCS away days, held at the Civil Service Club. The total cost was £1,390.75. There were no associated social or team-building activity at public expense.

The Government Legal Department (GLD) has held two centrally organised SCS away days. They were held at Herbet Smith Freehills Kramer LLP, Exchange House and at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. There were no costs attached for the venue or associated social or team-building activity.

The Crown Prosecution Service has held one SCS away day, at the Manchester Marriott Hotel Picadilly. The total cost of this event was £37,367.60.

Preparation to recruit the next Director of the Serious Fraud Office is progressing as planned and the Attorney General intends to publish the job advert at the end of this month. This will be a rigorous recruitment exercise in line with the Civil Service Commissioners’ recruitment principles. It is designed to attract and test the strongest field of talent and the selection process is expected to last at least until the end of November. The Attorney General expects to appoint a permanent Director by the end of this year, to take up the post in 2027.

The SFO plays a critical role in prosecuting fraudsters, delivering justice for victims and ridding the economy of corruption, making Britain better off. It is vital that we take the time to find and appoint the correct candidate to lead the organisation for the next five years.

Preparation to recruit the next Director of the Serious Fraud Office is progressing as planned and the Attorney General intends to publish the job advert at the end of this month. This will be a rigorous recruitment exercise in line with the Civil Service Commissioners’ recruitment principles. It is designed to attract and test the strongest field of talent and the selection process is expected to last at least until the end of November. The Attorney General expects to appoint a permanent Director by the end of this year, to take up the post in 2027.

The SFO plays a critical role in prosecuting fraudsters, delivering justice for victims and ridding the economy of corruption, making Britain better off. It is vital that we take the time to find and appoint the correct candidate to lead the organisation for the next five years.

The starting point will be that requirements are in legislation by exception. Then going forward, formal consultation should only take place where there is still a statutory requirement to consult, where it would be conspicuously unfair not to consult, or where Ministers believe there is a good case for seeking external input and that the right vehicle for doing so is a formal consultation. Even where departments have historically consulted or previously promised to consult, it is expected that each individual instance to be considered afresh, thinking about what is fair in the particular circumstances.

The Law Officers’ Convention applies to advice which may or may not have been given by the Law Officers, or requested of the Law Officers, and the Convention applies to your question.

The Law Officers’ Convention can be found at paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May:

“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 13 October 2025]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”

The Law Officers’ Convention applies to advice which may or may not have been given by the Law Officers, or requested of the Law Officers, and the Convention applies to your question.

The Law Officers’ Convention can be found at paragraph 21.27 of Erskine May:

“By long-standing convention, observed by successive Governments, the fact of, and substance of advice from, the law officers of the Crown is not disclosed outside government. This convention is referred to in paragraph [5.14] of the Ministerial Code [updated on 13 October 2025]. The purpose of this convention is to enable the Government to obtain frank and full legal advice in confidence.”

Since July 2026, no staff have been seconded to the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) from external organisations. During the same period, no AGO civil servants have been seconded to external organisations.

The tables below contain data for the Attorney General's Office (AGO) and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) relevant to the question.

AGO

CPS

The Government Communication Service (GCS) is the professional network of all communications staff across Government.

The table below contains the headcount for the Attorney General’s Office and each of its superintended departments who are communications professionals.

My updated Legal Risk guidance was published on GOV.UK on 8th September 2026. I have directed my officials to place a copy in the Library of the House.

Corporate manslaughter cases are considered by the CPS Special Crime Division, which handles some of the CPS’s most complex and sensitive casework.

Our manual records confirm the number of prosecution cases in which there was a conviction for corporate manslaughter in each of the last five years is as follows:

• 2022 – 3

• 2023 – 3

• 2024 – 2

• 2025 – 1

• 2026 – 0

The CPS does not collect data that constitutes official statistics as defined in the Statistics and Registration Service Act 2007. Therefore, this update is based upon our collated manual records that may be subject to possible errors with data entry and processing. These figures are provisional and subject to change as more information is recorded by the CPS.

The CPS does not provide specific guidance on the use of social media content as evidence in prosecutions for offences of (a) theft, (b) burglary, (c) vehicle crime and (d) dangerous driving.

However, prosecutors are required to use all available relevant and admissible evidence (including social media content) in prosecutions for all types of offence (including theft, burglary, vehicle crime and dangerous driving) in order to build the strongest possible cases.

The PQ relates to whether the government plans to negotiate changes to the European Convention of Human Rights at a Council of Europe level. There are no current plans to do so. However, the response refers to the recent Chișinău Declaration which concerns the ECHR and migration and which was adopted by the full Council of Europe in May 2026.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has assessed that modern digital technologies can enhance existing processes and support more efficient case handling. Through its Future Casework Tools programme, the CPS is modernising systems to improve the casework experience and reduce the time required to review case files. The CPS is also working with His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service on initiatives such as digital jury bundles, which aim to increase transparency, accessibility and efficiency in court proceedings.

The CPS has further assessed that artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to deliver substantial efficiency gains by assisting with routine administrative tasks. This can enable prosecutors and other specialists to devote more time to complex legal work and decision-making. The CPS published its AI Vision in July 2025, setting out how AI can be used to drive efficiencies in a legal, safe and ethical manner, while ensuring responsible use, transparency and coordination across the criminal justice system.